Chargers coach Anthony Lynn spoke to the media on Monday. Three days later, general manager Tom Telesco got the spotlight to express how he felt about the 2019 season, as well as what the future may look like.
Telesco said he is upset with how the season turned out and said there are a lot of factors that cause them to only win five games. He said he needs to do a better job, but they aren’t discouraged moving into the new year.
“We’re disappointed. A bit angry, which is normal for this time of year, but we’re not discouraged at all. I like the culture here, I like the foundation we’ve built, and I love our head coach. Those three things are critical,” Telesco said on the 5-11 season.
A lot of the blame throughout the season fell on Lynn’s shoulders, but Telesco feels that he did a fine enough job and believes that he feels as though he is the right guy to lead the team into 2020 and beyond.
“The contract [extension] will work itself out. I know he’s tough, he’s smart, he’s a leader, and he represents this organization on and off the field like no one else. I love working with him. There’s nobody else I would rather go to battle with than him.” Telesco said.
All eyes are on a few household names that are set to become free agents. Telesco didn’t give anything away. Instead, him and the rest of the coaching staff are in the process of evaluating every position to decide the future for some of those players.
Among the group of is quarterback Philip Rivers.
Telesco didn’t want to look ahead and discuss the future of Rivers too much, but he did say that he thinks he can still compete as a top starter. He said that in a perfect world, 17 is your starting quarterback.
“More than likely, yeah. There’s no doubt,” Telesco said when asked if this is this something they want to get sorted out before the new league year (March 18) so he doesn’t become a free agent.
Another notable player whose future is up in the air is running back Melvin Gordon.
Like everyone else, Gordon will be evaluated to determine if he will be brought back. Telesco said it didn’t make him happy that Gordon held out and that it hurt the team, but added “I love the kid.” He said the running back handled it well when he returned to the team.
From Telesco’s past end-of-season press conferences, he is pretty straight forward when it comes to summing up the year. Even though it may seem like hints with the direction they could go in the offseason, he does a fine job of keeping what the plans are secured.